Must-Ride National Parks
Hoodoos, a volcano crater and the Cherokee's homeland.
Categories: Trail Rider
By: Darley Newman 07/01/2008
Great Smoky Mountains National Park: This western North Carolina and Tennessee border park has its own breathtaking views, natural wonders and lots of room to ride. This is a horse-friendly park where riders have plenty of options. A couple of different concessioners in the park rent horses or you can bring your own. About 550 miles of trails are open to riders and a variety of campsites.
I rode through this park with members of the Eastern Band of Cherokees on their smooth Tennessee Walking horses. Our guide Forrest Parker made me feel like I was riding in someplace really special—his home.
Many of the trails here are shaded and cool. You do have to watch out, as the trails can be steep, rocky and narrow. You’ll find a lot of water here—a nice visual and good for the horses. As we let our horses have a drink in a quiet stream, I watched the purple butterflies and small white, wildflowers moving with the breeze.
Put this park on your list to learn about Cherokee history. The Cherokee were forced out of Cades Cove, Tennessee, and walked the “Trail of Tears” once gold was discovered there in 1828. The Eastern Band that hid out during this removal reclaimed some land in North Carolina in 1889.
When I ride in parks and anywhere else, I make sure to practice, “leave no trace of travel.” Our national parks are treasures that we want everyone to be able to enjoy and leave unscathed.
Lots of other great national parks exist across the U.S. It could certainly take a lifetime to explore them all, but what a beautiful lifetime that would be, especially if it’s on horseback.
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